Upper Cumberland Aging Services is in need of more volunteer ombudsman to care for seniors. Director Marie Ferran said ombudsmen are third-party individuals that are advocates for residents of long-term care facilities. “They are literally our boots on the ground,” Ferran said. “They usually live in the community where the long-term care facility is. They agree to visit that facility ... Read More »

An independent research organization has found that Tennessee Tech’s Electrical Engineer program has the best return on investment among all state public universities. Beacon Center of Tennessee is a free-market think tank that focuses on issues from taxes to education. Research Associate Jason Edmonds said the study released Wednesday found that graduates make about $80,000 while only accruing $19,000 of ... Read More »

North Warren Fire Department Chief Raymond Roberts described the scene of the Warren County wildfire as “controlled chaos.” Roberts was incident command over the response that started early Monday morning and continued until Tuesday night. Roberts said he issued a state mutual aid request and crews from across the Upper Cumberland responded to the call. “On the ground it was ... Read More »

The wildfire in Warren County that has been burning since Monday night is now under control. County Executive Terry Bell said water drops by the National Guard and rain Tuesday afternoon has extinguished the majority of flames. “A lot of the problem with this fire was the wind,” Bell said. “We got from 40 to 50 miles per hour wind ... Read More »

The Overton County Board of Education will proceed with quotes from architects for roof replacements, a kitchen remodel and facilities for a JROTC program. School Board Members held a roundtable discussion Tuesday night discussing maintenance and capital projects in every school across the system. The projects will need to be addressed in the future. School Board Member Wayne Taylor said ... Read More »

The Livingston Board of Zoning Appeals approved a square footage variance to allow the development of a new childcare facility. Chair Daniel Elder said codes require a 30,000 square foot lot size for development. Elder said the lot in question is only 23,000 square feet. “The individual that was putting fourth the variance it was just a request to do ... Read More »

Equipment has moved onto the Tennessee Avenue Putnam County Fairgrounds site to start dirt work. Mayor Randy Porter said the project will prepare the property for paving, utility work and construction of building pads. “They’ve started to do some clearing around the edges of the property and getting all the wetlands, water and streams staked out,” Porter said. “We are ... Read More »

A state program called Safe at Home has helped the Genesis House keep domestic violent victims confidential. Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett highlighted the program as a part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Executive Director Melissa Garrett said the program provides victims a substitute address so they cannot be tracked after relocating from a dangerous situation. “The last thing ... Read More »

White County Building Codes Inspector Brett Nash wants residents to know that he will have a renewed focus on building permits once the county transitions away from the state. Nash said decks, detached garages and home additions over 200 square feet will require a permit. Something that the state has not strictly regulated in the county. “With me being here ... Read More »

National Guard helicopters arrived in Warren County Tuesday to help fight a wildfire that started Monday evening. The aerial support came after County Executive Terry Bell declared a state of emergency. The helicopters have coordinated at least two drops of water on the flames located behind Isha. The Warren County Sheriff’s Department reported that 35 percent of the fire is ... Read More »